Army Chief Boosts Operational Readiness, Troops’ Welfare With Refurbished Vehicles, Nightingale Club

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and the Nightingale Club at the 1 Women Battalion, Giri, Abuja, as part of efforts to enhance troops’ mobility, operational responsiveness and welfare.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday,  the COAS said the availability of serviceable mobility assets was critical to enabling troops to move personnel, equipment and logistics promptly in response to operational demands.

Represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that military effectiveness was closely linked to the availability and serviceability of operational platforms.

He said the refurbished vehicles would strengthen the formation’s capacity to respond efficiently to assigned tasks, while directing commanders and personnel entrusted with the assets to ensure proper maintenance, responsible handling and strict compliance with military regulations.

The Army Chief emphasised that the vehicles were national assets and must be protected, properly accounted for and used strictly for authorised military purposes.

He also described the Nightingale Club as an investment in the human element of military effectiveness, noting that a capable and resilient force required not only operational equipment but also an environment that promoted the morale, cohesion and wellbeing of personnel.

According to him, the facility would provide opportunities for recreation, healthy social interaction and relaxation for troops and their families, while fostering camaraderie and esprit de corps within the formation.

Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the leadership and personnel of the 1 Women Battalion, as well as officers, soldiers, civilian staff, contractors and other stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the projects.

He said the achievements demonstrated the importance of effective leadership, prudent resource management and collective responsibility as the Nigerian Army continues to optimise available resources to meet evolving national security demands.

The COAS further charged commanders and personnel to sustain a culture of maintenance, accountability and prudent management of military resources, stressing that the true value of the commissioned assets would be measured by their impact on operational effectiveness and personnel welfare.

Earlier, the Commander, Nigerian Army Women Command, Brigadier General Muhammed Sani Adamu, described the Nightingale Club as a strategic investment in the human element of military effectiveness.

He said a professional, resilient and combat-ready force required not only the right equipment and capabilities but also an enabling environment that promoted the morale, welfare, cohesion and wellbeing of its personnel.

Brigadier General Adamu commended the COAS for his strategic guidance and sustained provision of resources to improve the welfare of personnel in line with his Soldier First philosophy.

He stressed that prioritising the human element remained critical to building a motivated force capable of sustaining operational effectiveness and effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.